I'm new to renault's please help

[Welshdean]

Hi all,

two days ago I bought my missus a renault clio 1.2 . Seems to be a half tidy car at first instance but it was later on that I found the problems.
when I'm nearly at full lock I here a clunk through the steering wheel, so I've took it to a local mechanic. He's told me that it is the top mounts and springs that need replacing.
also there is a rattling when going over potholes or uneven roads, so he reckons this is the problem.
my next problem is that when turning the steering wheel at low speeds like when parking, it's sounds like a creaking ship.

can anybody tell me what the problem is here please, I've been advised that it COULD be the lower ball joint.

what do you guys suggest ?

 

[AlexW]

Most of those issues, point to the top mounts.

Get a new setup from renault, inc the revised spacer/nut, Sign up to the forum and you'll get access to the trader section, and thus Adam @ Renault Wolverhampton, discounts will outweigh the club membership.

Hope this helps.

 

[plymcl172]

or explain all this to a garage and maybe they can help you out

 

[Zeitgeist0190]

As AlexW said above - club membership will get you plenty of parts discounts. Turning low speeds and creaking sounds like the top mounts again, mine did this all the time, there was a washer/spacer you could buy from one of the traders on here that cured it but i believe the revised genuine renault parts does the same.

 

[Welshdean]

After having my steering rack replaced the squeaking noise and the knock when on almost on full lock has stopped. But when I go over uneven roads I still hear a knocking noise and it sounds like it's coming from the right side of the car at the front. Either near the wheel area or somewhere through the steering wheel area. I've now been advised it may be the drop links. I've looked at those washers but as the knock has gone from turning on full lock, does that mean that I don't need them anymore? Or could those washers have worked instead of replacing the steering rack.
these renault's are a pain in the arse

 

[Zeitgeist0190]

I'm not 100% on this, and i'm sure it may be a silly thing to say - but i don't know if all/any clios have drop links. I remember asking a mechanic about mine and he said there weren't any. Then again, he might have just been spoofing.

I think you should still look into the upgraded top mounts, I think i saw a post here before about the noise being the suspension bar thing knocking into the turret on the top mount, and it eventually just wore it away. There's a good chance the noise you're hearing could be the suspension knocking on the turret.

They're a pain SOMETIMES. My renault has been the most reliable car i've ever owned, or has been in my family. That position is currently being contended by my sisters Fiat Stilo, of all cars.

 

[Welshdean]

Where else would the knocking noise come from because I've been told that my top mounts and springs are fine

 

[Zeitgeist0190]

I'm sure you've checked already, but this thread suggests some good things to check. My top mounts were fine as well, but the metal washer/spacer added in fixed the problem.
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?722898-Uncurable-knocking!&highlight=knocking

 

[Bluebeard]

Ball joints? Anti roll bar bushes?